Dear Reader

Dear Reader Column 07-07-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

This week you could be one of the five lucky readers chosen to read an author's manuscript even before his editor does!

Thriller writer Nate Kenyon is offering something very special for five lucky Dear Reader subscribers: a chance to become a "first reader" of his new work. Email Nate at nate@natekenyon.com with the subject line "First Reader Contest," and at the end of the week he will choose five names out of a hat. The winners will receive a signed copy of his new novel, The Bone Factory--and a signed manuscript copy of the first draft of his work in progress, Sparrow Rock.

These lucky five will get to read his new book even before his editor does. There's a catch though--he's looking for feedback. He'll be asking these first readers what they think of the story, and their comments will help him fine-tune the book as it goes through the editing process.

Sound like fun? Then email Nate and get started! He's waiting to hear from you.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

P.S. Congratulations to the winners of the Calling Card Holder Giveaway: Pam Wissore, Dennis A. Matejka, Susan Biggs, Katey McKinley, Chandra Stewart and Mim Grossman.

 

Dear Reader Column 06-22-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Mary, a reader at the book club, sent me a "just because" email a few days ago and I think I've read it six times already. Sounds kind of silly as I'm writing this down, I mean how much puffing up does a person need? But I had an emotionally rough go of it the other day, and reading Mary's email reminded me that I'm not such a bad person. So I lightened up on myself.

I've created a computer file for emails like Mary's. Emails that are so sweetly and generously written they felt like a Hallmark card the first time I read them, so I save them for a rainy day. Birthday, anniversary, congratulation cards, I'm very thankful friends remember me, but it's the cards and notes that people have sent to me "just because" that I never forget. Thank you Mary.

From my Email Bag:

"Hi, Suzanne, Nothing specific today, just a general happy feeling of gratitude that I wanted to share. Your musings are such a delightful addition to my mornings. Really. Between your ability to laugh at yourself and recognize the human condition we all share, your kindness to animals, your cookie (and pie!)--baking abilities, your generosity and openness with your readers...well, I'm just so grateful to have you to 'tune-in to' every weekday morning. You brighten up my world, Suzanne and you improve my perspective, too. What a gift. Thank you. XOXO,"--Mary

I have "just because" giveaways for readers today. Aprons, books, journals, cookie droppers, (like the one I use when I make chocolate chip cookies) enter today's fun "Just Because Giveaway" go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/contest062209.html

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Gratefully,
Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: New authors, old favorites--all wonderful books you can win: George Rabasa, The Wonder Singer; Joanna Hershon, The German Bride; Pamela Samuels Young, Murder on the Down Low; Steffan Postaer, The Happy Soul Industry; and Sabrina Jeffries, Wed Him Before You Bed Him, Book 6. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 06-18-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

I'm the girl who'd rather be a server at a fancy party, than one of the guests.

I'm the girl whose New Year's Resolution 20 years ago was to make a good friend. (No violins for me. I knew folks, but I didn't have one of those really close friends I'd heard so much about, so I decided to get me one.)

I'm not a social butterfly, actually a little bit of a recluse, which is probably one of the reasons I'm a writer.

There's my list, and the reason I'm sharing it with you is to qualify why I seem to be a late bloomer in all of this online, social networking business.

Yes, I'm on Facebook, have posted on YouTube, have a page at MySpace and last week I even started Twittering. But the truth is I haven't quite caught on to the social networking wave yet because finding the time is a problem.

"How 'do' people find the time?" That's my question for you today. After I do my work, brush my teeth, load the washer, feed the cats, bake some cookies, pull weeds in the garden, read a book, watch the 'Mentalist,' spend time with my husband and grandchildren--the list goes on and on--there's barely enough time to shave my legs.

So do me a favor and share your social networking secrets with me. You'll find me at:

http://twitter.com/SuzanneBeecher

http://www.facebook.com/DearReader.com.SuzanneBeecher

http://www.myspace.com/dear_reader

But email is still my first choice, so feel free to continue to hit the reply key and you'll always find me that way, too.

If you're a social butterfly, please post this link to the book clubs and help spread the word. I sure would appreciate it.

http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/734/mweb/path25-3.html

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: Win free copies of books you'll read and never forget from these terrific authors: Fran Cannon Slayton, When the Whistle Blows; Lev Raphael, My Germany; Susan May Warren, Nothing but Trouble; Mindy Friddle, Secret Keepers; and Judy Rodgers and Gayatri Naraine, Something Beyond Greatness. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 06-04-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Find something easy and fun to cook this summer. My favorite recipes and reader recipes are at my blog: http://tinyurl.com/yuf6aq

"Dear Suzanne, I made your Porcupine Meatballs and they were great! I am no cook, but that recipe was so simple for the "cooking challenged" such as myself. My husband raved about them! I did add my own special touch of sprinkled parmesan cheese during the last 15 minutes of baking. Superb! We will for sure be having those again. Thanks for the recipe."--Dianna Williamson

When I was growing up we never bought potato salad, my mother always made it from scratch. I love to cook, but making potato salad is a big deal, peeling and boiling, slicing and dicing potatoes, onions, celery, hard boiled eggs, mustard, mayo, add little seasoning, then mix it all together and let it set for at least two days so all of the flavors have time to come together. Or you can mix up Red-Skinned Potato Salad. So simple, yet so very good. I hope you enjoy it.

Red-Skinned Potato Salad

1/3 cup gourmet mustard (I use Grey Poupon Dijon, or use your favorite mustard.)
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 pounds small red-skinned potatoes, cooked and quartered
1 large tomato, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
4 slices bacon, cooked well and crumbled

Combine the mustard, sour cream and mayonnaise in a large bowl, add the potatoes, tomato, bacon and green onion. Chill overnight in the refrigerator. Enjoy it with a friend and be sure to tell them about the book club. To print some book club flyers to share with friends or coworkers, including a copy of this recipe, go to: http://www.supportlibrary.com:80/nl/users/test/mweb/path23-17.html

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise these are five that deserve your attention: Michael Stanley, The Second Death of Goodluck Tinubu; Eva Marie Everson, Things Left Unspoken; Susan Mallery, Lip Service; Julia Gregson, East of the Sun; and Jeanne Adams, Dark and Deadly. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 05-06-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Suzanne is resting up from minor surgery. MJ Rose, an author and good friend of Suzanne's, is filling in for her today.

A newsletter called Shelf-Awareness.com, which is about the publishing industry and bookselling business, arrived in my mailbox at 8:18 one morning in January. I opened it, started reading, got to the bottom and found an article about a new book called, The Miracles of Prato.

According to the article the book was getting a lot of buzz but I hadn't heard about it. With more than 10,000 novels published a year, most of us still don't hear about most of them--which is a marketing problem that has yet to be solved.

But the book was totally my kind of read--art and suspense.

I was about to leave the house for the train station. I didn't have time to drive to my favorite independent bookstore and buy a copy but I did just get a Kindle for Christmas. So I clicked over to Amazon, hit the trusty little one click and before I got up to get my bag ready for my train ride, the book was delivered electronically.

According to the receipt in my mailbox, it took less than one minute to arrive.

At 8:40 with some time to spare I started reading The Miracles of Prato and then read it on the train going to my meeting and then on the train coming home and kept reading it for the next few days. (It's a terrific book, by the way.)

So this is how the world works now. While part of it scares me--I love books and bookstores and the people who work in them and I don't want any of that to change--for someone who lives, eats and breathes storytelling, this is one heck of an exciting time to be a reader and a writer.

What do you think? Have you tried an ebook? Do you have a Kindle or Sony Reader? Do you read books on your cell phone? Do you want to?

Write me at MJRnewsletter@aol.com, I'd love to hear from you. And I'll be giving two people who answer a copy of my last novel, The Memorist.

Thanks for Reading!
M.J. Rose http://www.mjrose.com

*Congratulations to our Library Stimulus Winners. Thanks to everyone who took the time to email us about why their library is special.

Diana Doty (Brownsburg Public Library)
Heather Turner (Lawrenceburg Public Library)
Penny Vick (Mystic & Noank Library)
Ann Seitz-Brown (Glatfelter Library)
Rose Lawrence (Kanawha County Public Library)
Jane Dwyer (Park Forest Library)
Yvette Fontenot (St.Tammany Parish Library)
Monica L. Sutcliffe (Westerly Library)

Dear Reader Column 04-17-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Looking for a great book? Visit your local library. Looking for the love of your life? Visit your local library.

From my Library Email Bag:

"Dear Suzanne, My husband and I met while working at our local libraries. We were married on October 10, 2008 and we have the Dearborn Public Libraries to thank for it. I worked at the main branch at Henry Ford Centennial library and he worked at Dearborn's Esper Library. During renovations in 2001 all of the Esper part time employees came over to our library to work. I trained my husband on the Periodicals Desk and the Internet Desk. We have been together ever since. I am forever grateful to the Dearborn Libraries because without them I would not have met my husband, the love of my life. He is still employed by the Dearborn Libraries. There are quite a few couples that have met while working at the libraries. Not only do these libraries offer excellent services finding books, helping patrons and educating the masses, they helped us find love."--Erin Connors

"Suzanne, the library saved my marriage. It's true! My husband is an avid reader, he consumes books. When we got married fifteen years ago he bought all his books. Not only was it expensive, the books were stacked everywhere. We couldn't afford his habit and I wasn't happy about the 'library' that was building in our apartment. I had plans for a house and children, so I encouraged him to use the library more often. Today we live within walking distance of a branch (Beaumont Branch, Lexington, KY) and his job is close to another library (Paul Sawyer Library, Frankfort, KY). Both libraries have staff that knows him by name and he visits several times a week, sometimes daily. My husband is now an expert on inter-library loan, and we have a house and three amazing girls. We also have A LOT of books in the house, but if not for the library that might have been all he had." -- Jennifer Kelly

Not only can you find a great book or the love of your life at your local library, Marsha Fuller, Regional Public Relations Coordinator for the Western Maryland Regional Library reminds us that any information you're looking for, you'll find it at the library. To view Marsha's list, go to: http://tinyurl.com/cf9mah

In honor of National Library Week, be sure to enter your library in the Dear Reader Stimulus Package. Email a note about why you enjoy your local library (include the name of your library) and I'll forward your comments on to the director and staff--who doesn't like to get compliments? Then, I'll enter your name in a drawing and if you're a winner, I'll send you a $25 gift certificate to Target and I'll send your library a check for $25 (that's the Dear Reader Stimulus Package). I have eight gift certificates and eight stimulus checks for libraries. It's a fun way to celebrate and spread some good will.

Hundreds of readers have already written, join in the fun. I'm waiting to hear from you. Thanks for joining in the celebration, send your note to: Suzanne@EmailBookClub.com

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

 

Dear Reader Column 04-15-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

It's National Library Week! That's the good news; the not-so-good news is that some libraries around the country have had to close their doors. So this year as part of our National Library Week celebration I've created a Dear Reader Stimulus Package. Here's my idea...

Email a note about why you enjoy your local library (include the name of your library) and I'll forward your comments on to the director and staff--who doesn't like to get compliments? Then, I'll enter your name in a drawing for a $25 gift certificate to Target and if your name is drawn, I'll send your library a check for $25 (that's the Dear Reader Stimulus Package). I have eight gift certificates and eight stimulus checks for libraries. It's a fun way to celebrate and spread some good will. Hundreds of readers have already written, join in the fun. I'm waiting to hear from you.

Thanks for joining in the celebration, send your note to:
Suzanne@EmailBookClub.com

From my Library Email Bag:

"As I'm living outside the US, I won't participate in the [drawing]. But I have received so much through your columns and the books you helped me discover, that I have decided to do something to pay it a little bit back. I have asked the Cedar Mill library in Portland, OR for their zip code and as soon as I get it, I will send them 20 Dollars leftover after my last trip to the States. Thanks for all you do for us, in addition to helping discover books."--Anne-Francoise Kraus, Germany

"Tickets to a rock show? A yard sale? Free Xboxes to the first ten customers? No, it's just a few minutes before 10:00 and a large group has formed in front of the Belmar Library, waiting for the doors to open. More people are using our library now. I like waiting in line with my neighbors for the doors to be unlocked and all of that information and entertainment to be available to us for another day. Whether we are searching for a job or a recipe, we are doing it together in their community. It's a welcoming place for us all."--Marty Dawley

"I like our local library system for many reasons. The one that popped in my head as I was reading your e-mail was Bunny Books. My library puts together a bag of 10 child age appropriate books, separated by 3 sets of ages. Parents can go up to the counter and just ask for the bag, no need to drag your crying toddler around to find the 'perfect' book. --Laufa Morgan

"We live in an area that is economically depressed. I am a retired speech language specialist from the Vineland Public School. Many of our students stay and never leave the area. Our local library, staffed with kind, nurturing people lets many people travel without leaving the library or their home. The computer area allows many of us access to the internet that we might not have at home. Their vast array of books, CD's books on tape and movies allow all the city residents to have wonderful media entertainment. This library is a gem that we are so fortunate to have. The staff is excellent. Thanks for giving me this opportunity to share the beauty of our Vineland Public Library."--Sallie V. Gartner

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

*Please send me a note about your library and I'll forward it on to the staff.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

 

Dear Reader Column 04-06-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

My husband is a Craigslist fanatic and now he's got me hooked. Instead of going to the beach, or doing the laundry, lately we've been spending any extra non-working minutes checking Craigslist. At least six times a day, we log on to see if any new home furnishings have been listed. My husband and I have always loved a mission. Whenever we've needed something new to replace something old in our home, it's not the actual "getting something new part" that we're excited about, it's the hunt. So we were thrilled when our son and daughter-in-law told us about their upcoming move, because it gave us an excuse to help them search for deals to furnish the new place.
Let the hunt begin!

To get a real deal on Craigslist--to get the good stuff--you have to be ready to hookup your trailer immediately. (Our small trailer hooks up to the back of our car in minutes.) We've gotten so good at interpreting the ads on Craigslist that last week I bought a coffee table sight unseen. I couldn't go look at it right away--a girl's got to work some time--but I knew if I waited to check it out later that evening it would be gone.

But late last night our Craigslist adventures took a new twist. It was 11 o'clock, I was already sleeping, and before my husband came into bed he decided to check Craigslist one last time. And there it was--just what we'd been looking for--the perfect lamp for our son and daughter-in-law's bedroom. So my husband quickly replied to the listing and three minutes later our phone rang. It was our son calling. He thought for sure my husband was playing a joke on him--our son was the person selling the lamp. We're a family of jokesters, but my husband wasn't in on the joke, hadn't a clue, because when you reply to a classified on Craigslist you have no idea who the seller is.

So my husband and I are still searching and if you're looking for a gorgeous lamp, I know where you can find a real deal and I can vouch for the seller...

*If you have a son or daughter, or grandchildren, or you're crazy about your neighbors' kids, be sure check out today's AuthorBuzz (the link is right after my column.) In addition to free signed books, a child can win a chance to have a character named for him or her in author M.K. Scott's next book.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: New authors, old favorites--all wonderful books you can win: Jennifer Cody Epstein, Painter from Shanghai; M.K. Scott, Zamora's Ultimate Challenge; Leanna Ellis, Ruby's Slippers; and Julia Hoban, Willow. Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

Dear Reader Column 03-25-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Sometimes I wish there wasn't so much new technology. It's not that I'm trying to hang on to the "good old days," because actually I think "good old day" thinking is a bit of a myth. It's just that I can't seem to keep up with knowing how to do everything that's available. Every morning when I wake up I discover some creative insomniac has been up all night developing another new product--give these people some sleeping pills--because I can't keep up! There are too many options, too many social networks, too much technology and if I tried to stay on top of "knowing" about everything, when would I find the time to shave my legs?

But then again, there are times when the ease and speediness of new technology is just what the doctor ordered. Monday night at 11:47 p.m. an email popped into my box. A woman who works with me at the book clubs just got out of surgery and her husband was emailing from his Blackberry to let me know she was okay and all was fine. Technology to the rescue! Instead of having to phone a group of people, who are probably already tucked into bed, the exhausted and relieved husband could type one simple email and hit send.

So today I'm rethinking my aversion to all the new technology, I'm really not behind. Because when I think about it, I don't even know how to work all the stuff from the "good old days" and I don't have to. I simply need to learn what's useful and enjoyable for me.

To celebrate technology today I'm giving away the old and the new. Potato ricers (the old) and Monkey potato and vegetable peelers (the old with a new look). They're so ugly they're cute. Sign up for this week's daily giveaway and see photos at: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/potato.html

The winner's of yesterday's BIG FEET giveaway are: Elizabeth Dimattia and Mary Frances Doss.

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

* This month's Penguin Classic book is The American by Henry James. Tell me what you think of the book, and I'll put your name in the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to:
http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=drclass&V=Q1AFEA39A127&c=CLASSICS

 

Dear Reader Column 01-22-09

Join my email book club. Over 350,000 people read 5-minutes a day. To see what books I'm featuring this week, go to: http://www.dearreader.com/

Dear Reader,

Hundreds of folks sent in ideas for ways to get the word out about the book club. Thank you, thank you! You guys are creative. Mary Ellen suggested a slogan, 'Hungry for something fun, not fattening? Join us at the book clubs.' Unless of course if you happen to win some of our Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Lorraine suggested posters that readers could print out and put up in church libraries, or offices and she even volunteered to take some to her local public library. Actually, I was one step ahead of Lorraine, 1,000 posters for libraries to post are being delivered to me today.

Another great idea came from Lynda Smith:

"I thought libraries were dead. No one reads anymore! But then I noticed something strange when I arrived at 9 a.m. just minutes before the library opened...a line! People were grumbling (ok it was me) that they had to WAIT to get in the library and it was now 9:04. Who knew the library was so popular? I watched and almost everyone headed for the computers! My idea to promote the book club: create a screen saver and send to public libraries so that when they sit down instead of having a blank screen, there you are with apron on, wooden spoon in one hand, and reading a book (not a cookbook) in the other."

And several bloggers, like Patricia, have kindly offered to spread the word.

"I think if you had an attractive book club 'Widget' that could be added to blog sidebars you'd get many new visitors. I'd love to put your widget on my blog! I am often promoting your clubs in a blog post."

I'm working on a Widget, in the mean time, be sure to leave the address of the book clubs at whatever web sites you visit. I sure would appreciate it.

Linda Erskine suggested flyers for the lunch room and her condo building. And librarian Mary Johnson asked for a Valentine's Day handout similar to the Gingerbread Man one I made for the holidays. She put them out at her library and they quickly disappeared.

The Valentine book club invitation/recipe is ready and so is an 'any day' invitation. Please print them out and distribute some in your community. Thank you very much.

Go to: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/test/mweb/path23-6.html

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

AUTHORBUZZ: New authors, old favorites--all wonderful books you can win. Catherine Anderson, Star Bright; Amy Koppelman, I Smile Back; Elizabeth Aston, Mr. Darcy's Daughters; Amanda Cabot, Paper Roses; and Erica Bauermeister, The School of Essential Ingredients." Go to: http://authorbuzz.com/dearreader

* This month's Penguin Classic book is: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. To start reading and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing. Go to:
http://www.supportlibrary.com/bc/v.cfm?L=drclass&V=B1AFE3A39913&c=CLASSICS